Unleashing Potential in Leadership Teams
Organizational success hinges on its people, specifically their talents, their passions and their ability to work together. Over my career, I’ve witnessed the impact that understanding these individual strengths can have on a team’s performance. It’s not just about having the right people; it’s about making sure they’re in the right roles and doing work that energizes them. I’ve seen firsthand how this framework can change the way teams operate. Recently, we worked with a university Vice President for Advancement and her leadership team who shared that their meetings were frequently bogged down by indecision and lack of focus. This is where Patrick Lencioni’s "Six Types of Working Genius" comes into play. Using the Working Genius assessment, they were able to identify that certain members were being asked to contribute in areas that did not align with their strengths. Realigning these roles according to each individual’s strength led to more productive meetings and faster, more decisive actions.
What is Working Genius?
Simply put, this is a practical leadership productivity tool to discover individual gifts and put organize teams according to those natural talents to help teams get far more done.
The Six Types of Working Genius is a powerful tool that categorizes the essential stages of work into six distinct "geniuses": Wonder, Invention, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement and Tenacity. These represent the different attributes people bring to the table, from the initial spark of an idea to the drive needed to bring it to completion.
Understanding these working geniuses isn’t just an intellectual exercise; it’s a strategic necessity. Each person has two areas where they naturally excel, two where they are competent (typically where burnout occurs) and two that tend to drain and frustrate them. When team members spend most of their time in their areas of genius, not only do they achieve more, but they also find greater fulfillment in their work.
How Working Genius Transforms Teams
In my experience at Bryant Group, the impact of understanding and applying the Working Genius framework has been nothing short of transformative. When we’ve aligned team members with roles that match their geniuses, we’ve seen not just an increase in productivity, but a significant boost in engagement. People are more energized and focused when they’re doing work that aligns with their areas of natural ability, and that alignment translates into better outcomes for the organization.
For example, in one of our recent leadership development programs, we applied the Working Genius model to a leadership team. We discovered that several members were spending the majority of their time in areas of frustration—tasks that drained their energy rather than fueled it. By realigning their roles to better match their geniuses, the team not only became more effective but also reported higher job satisfaction and lower burnout rates.
Enhancing Board Engagement
The Working Genius model is not just for operational teams; it’s just as powerful when applied to leadership boards. Board members, often coming from diverse backgrounds, bring a variety of strengths and experiences to their roles. By understanding and leveraging these geniuses, boards can become more cohesive and effective. Discussions become more focused, decisions more informed and the overall governance of the organization improves.
More About The Six Types of Working Genius
Wonder: The gift of pondering possibilities and asking the big questions. Wonder is where all great work begins, with someone who sees potential where others see only the status quo. [We liken this to a high-level, 30,000 foot strategic view.]
Invention: The ability to create original ideas and innovative solutions. Inventors thrive on bringing new concepts to life, crafting the solutions that move us forward. [25,000 foot viewpoint.]
Discernment: The intuitive sense of what will work and what won’t. Discernment allows teams to make sound judgments, guiding ideas and projects in the right direction. [20,000 foot perspective that refines and brings clarity to the goal/project.]
Galvanizing: The talent for rallying others to take action. Galvanizers are the catalysts who energize the team, turning plans into movement and momentum. [15,000 feet, between strategy and tactics where buy-in is key.]
Enablement: The ability to support and assist. Those with the genius of Enablement are the ones who help others bring their ideas to life, providing the help that’s needed exactly when it’s needed. [10,000 foot view, identifying the details and help needed to execute.]
Tenacity: The determination to see things through to the end. Tenacity ensures that no task is left unfinished, driving projects across the finish line. [5,000 feet to ground level, all the tactical minutiae to get it done.]
Real-World Impact
The Six Types of Working Genius is more than just a tool—it’s a lens through which we can better understand ourselves and our teams. By embracing this model, organizations can unlock the full potential of their people, leading to greater productivity, higher engagement and a more fulfilling work environment.
At Bryant Group, we’ve integrated the Working Genius framework into our leadership development consulting with our clients’ executive teams because we believe in its power to transform these groups into powerful teams operating in their zone of genius. This alignment is where true organizational success begins.
As leaders, it’s our responsibility to create environments where people can thrive. Understanding the Six Types of Working Genius is a significant step in that direction.
